Patent Application
20080063460
The present invention includes a system for applying floor finish. The system can include a back or other pack configured to hold one or more containers of liquid floor finish, a wand applicator, and metering valve. The wand applicator can include handle and conduit. The conduit can provide fluid communication of floor finish from the container to a floor. The metering valve can be configured to controllably provide fluid communication of floor finish through the conduit and to release floor finish onto the floor. In an embodiment the system also includes a cleanout coupler. In an embodiment the system also includes a filter configured to filter the floor finish. In an embodiment, the backpack includes a grip configured for carrying the backpack. In an embodiment, the backpack includes positioning portion or surface configured to support portions of the container. In an embodiment, the backpack includes padded attachment apparatus configured to support the backpack on a wearer. The system can also include a refill station for refilling a container of floor finish.
The application of aqueous floor finish compositions to institutional floor surfaces, in particular to resilient vinyl flooring, remains a difficult problem for floor maintenance personnel. In the past floor finishes have been applied using multiple applications of conventional floor finish compositions to build up a robust finish layer. Such manual applications are often accomplished by pouring liquid floor finish or metering liquid floor finish onto a surface and uniformly distributing the liquid floor finish using a mop, weighted “T” bar, or other application device. Such application techniques often result in an uneven application, undesirable flawed surface appearance, unnecessary labor costs and often can result in insufficient thicknesses for commercial flooring. We have found that mobile or portable apparatus for floor maintenance are known. For the purpose of this application, we are not interested in an apparatus adapted for of floor cleaning protocols. In the cleaning arts the mobile technology typically involves the use of aqueous cleaners and rinses for removing soils, low solids floor finish compositions and other undesirable materials from floor surfaces.
Conventional aqueous floor finish compositions are formulated in a variety of product types. The products vary with respect to the type of materials combined in the formulations and with respect to the amount of solids found in the formulations. The use of high solids floor finish compositions poses unique problems. Application technologies developed for conventional low solids floor finish compositions are often inadequate when used in high solids applications. Further the conventional application techniques cannot take advantage of the unique properties of high solids floor finish materials. Substantial need has arisen for improved methods and equipment that can be used in applying high solids floor finish materials.
We're aware of the following patents generically related to floor maintenance technologies. Gewalt (U.S. Pat. No. 2,053,282), Thompson (U.S. Pat. No. 2,061,216), Payne (U.S. Pat. No. 2,731,656), Minerley (U.S. Pat. No. 2,875,463) and Cushing (U.S. Pat. No. 4,119,386) disclose an apparatus typically characterized in the prior art as “a fountain mop.” Such systems include typically a wand having mounted thereon, a reservoir for an aqueous material that can be applied through a “fountain” and a mop head that can be used to distribute the aqueous material. Similar to such fountain mops, Floyd (U.S. Pat. No. 1,778,552), Burfield (U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,328) and Sloan (U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,471) each teach a mop or brush head that includes a spray system for introducing an aqueous material into the head or on a floor.
One common configuration of a typical mobile floor cleaning system is the portable or motor driven cleaning machine such as that shown in Girman et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,375) or Tipton (U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,713) these apparatus are configured to sequentially apply cleaning materials to a floor, scrub the floor and then remove the cleaning materials for further operations.
Keppers, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,163, teaches a wheeled portable floor finish distribution apparatus mounted on a wheeled cart using an applicator nozzle, wand and distributor device to apply aqueous floor finish compositions.
A brief review of these disclosures show that no system is available that is adapted for the convenient, efficient application of a liquid floor finish over a large area floor using a portable cart system. Available application systems are not adapted to take advantage of the unique properties of high solids floor finish compositions. The larger portable or motor driven prior art systems are adapted for the serial application and removal typically by vacuum systems of aqueous materials used to wash, rinse or maintain floor surfaces.
Conventional technologies are not truly adapted for a single user performing the application of a single robust floor finish layer from high solids materials. In large part the prior art is directed towards portable systems that clean large areas of institutional flooring, but not directed towards applying maintaining floor finish layers.
A substantial need exists for apparatus and methods adapted to the formation of a single robust floor finish layer by a single maintenance individual using high solids floor finish compositions.
The present invention includes a system for applying floor finish. The system can include a back or other pack configured to hold one or more containers of liquid floor finish, a wand applicator, and metering valve. The wand applicator can include handle and conduit. The conduit can provide fluid communication of floor finish from the container to a floor. The metering valve can be configured to controllably provide fluid communication of floor finish through the conduit and to release floor finish onto the floor. In an embodiment the system also includes a cleanout coupler. In an embodiment the system also includes a filter configured to filter the floor finish. In an embodiment, the backpack includes a grip configured for carrying the backpack. In an embodiment, the backpack includes positioning portion or surface configured to support portions of the container. In an embodiment, the backpack includes padded attachment apparatus configured to support the backpack on a wearer.
In an embodiment, the present invention includes a system for forming a floor finish layer. The system can include a backpack, a wand applicator, and metering valve. The backpack can be configured to hold one or more containers of liquid floor finish. The container can have a volume of up to about 20 liters. The wand applicator can include handle, applicator, and conduit. The conduit can provide fluid communication of floor finish from the container to a floor. The metering valve can be configured to controllably provide fluid communication of floor finish through the conduit and to release floor finish onto the floor between the applicator and the handle.
In an embodiment, the system for forming floor finish layer includes portable reservoir, wand, and metering valve. The portable reservoir can be configured to be supported on an operator (of the system) and to hold one or more containers of liquid floor finish. The wand can include handle and conduit. The conduit can provide fluid communication of the floor finish from the portable reservoir to the floor. The metering valve can be configured to controllably provide fluid communication of floor finish through the conduit and to release floor finish onto the floor between the wand and the handle. The portable reservoir can include backpack, chest pack, or fanny pack.
In an embodiment the system also includes a cleanout coupler. The clean out coupler can be configured to couple to the conduit and the source of fluid and to provide fluid communication into the conduit.
In an embodiment the system also includes a filter configured to filter the floor finish. The system can include a container of floor finish including the filter. The filter can be configured to filter the floor finish before or as the finish leaves the container. The filter can be outside of the container of floor finish. The filter can be proximal to the container of floor finish. The filter can be a Y-filter. The filter can be configured to receive floor finish from the metering valve.
In an embodiment, the backpack includes a grip configured for carrying the backpack. In an embodiment, the backpack includes positioning portion or surface configured to support portions of the container proximal to container exit. The positioning portion or surface can be configured to reduce positioning of portions of the container in a position lower than exit from the container.
In an embodiment, the backpack includes attachment apparatus configured to support the backpack on a wearer. In an embodiment, the portable reservoir includes attachment apparatus configured to support the portable reservoir on a wearer. The attachment apparatus can include padded shoulder straps. The attachment apparatus can include padded harness. The attachment apparatus can include padded hip strap.
In an embodiment, the present system also includes a refilling station or refilling cabinet. The refilling cabinet is configured to allow for on-site filling of a fillable reservoir, such as, for example, ready-to-use (RTU) packaging from a concentrate dilution system. The packaging is made of a flexible or collapsible material of two or more layers that expands as the packaging is filled with liquid. The refilling station is configured to fill the RTU packaging with about 1 to 2 gallons of liquid, and to stop filling once the RTU packaging is full. In an embodiment, the refilling station is equipped with a mechanical switch or shut off valve that stops the liquid filling process when the RTU packaging reaches its capacity. This prevents overfilling of the RTU packaging, or bursting of the packaging during the filling operation. In an embodiment, the refilling cabinet is used to fill RTU packaging that be subsequently connected to a cleaning device, i.e., either a portable reservoir supported in a backpack, or directed attached to the wand applicator of the system.
For the purpose of this patent application, the term “resilient vinyl flooring” refers to conventional commercial flooring materials commonly found in commercial establishments such as large retail stores.
The floor finish system of the invention involves a portable reservoir for the floor finish such as a portable system adapted for a single user. Such a portable system can include a back pack system that can serve as a mounting location for a container of the high solids floor finish of the invention. The portable reservoir or back pack and the included floor finish or floor finish container is fluidly connected to an application wand having a fluid conduit leading to a metering tip and applicator pad. The application wand contains metering apparatus that permits the user to apply an appropriate amount of floor finish to the resilient vinyl floor surface. Such apparatus can be incorporated into the handle used by the user of the application wand. In a preferred embodiment, the individual user of the system can apply, in a single application of high solids floor finish, a thick robust layer of floor finish on a floor surface.
The portable reservoir or back pack is equipped with attachment apparatus appropriate for the use of the application personnel. Typically the back pack structure is worn by the application personnel using a shoulder strap or harness configuration applied to the user's back. The shoulder straps can be padded, which can improve comfort for the user. A harness can include one or more of shoulder straps (e.g., padded shoulder straps), hip straps (which can be padded), and padding configured to be positioned between the backpack and the wearers back. The shoulder straps, hip straps, and/or padding can be adjustable (e.g., length and position, respectively) for comfortable wearing by a user. The harness can also be configured for adjustments to position the backpack at a desirable orientation on the wearers back. The portable reservoir or backpack can also include a grip. The grip can be configured to allow carrying the reservoir or backpack by hand when not it is not being worn.
The portable reservoir, however, can be used in a variety of configurations including as a chest pack, as a “fanny pack,” or any other configuration that can be supported by application personnel during floor finish application operations.
The portable reservoir or back pack should be configured such that it can be easily used by the application personnel over an eight hour period (including multiple fillings or replacements of the floor finish material) conveniently without fatigue. The back pack container can be configured to enclose a flexible or rigid, inflexible container filled with an appropriate amount of high solids floor finish. Accordingly, the filled portable reservoir or back pack preferably weighs no more than about 15 kg, but should contain at least 5 liters of floor finish with a maximum capacity of up to about 15 liters. In an embodiment, the backpack can accommodate a container with a capacity of about 7 liters. The portable reservoir or back pack should be configured for easy refilling or access to the interior of the back pack. Access can permit removal of empty containers of floor finish and the insertion of new filled containers. In one embodiment, the back pack can simply be filled from a reservoir of floor finish without a separate container structure. However, preferably, the back pack is configured to receive and support a container of floor finish. Preferably, the floor finish container is a flexible container, a semi-rigid container, or a rigid container, each of which can be adapted to the interior space of the back pack. In an embodiment, the floor finish container is a collapsible polymeric bag made of two or more layers. The container is simply inserted into the back pack without significant modifications to the back pack structure. However, in a preferred embodiment, the back pack contains interior access having a closure structure that can be opened and closed during operations in which the empty containers are replaced by filled containers. In a preferred embodiment, an openable door or lid structure is installed in the back pack exposing the interior of the back pack to easy access to the empty containers and for insertion of a new filled container.
The interior of the portable reservoir or back pack is sized and configured for filling with liquid floor finish or configured to accept and support the fluid floor finish container. In an embodiment, the backpack is configured for directing floor finish toward the coupling and/or conduit. For example, the backpack can be configured to support a container of floor finish with the coupling lower than the remainder of the container or with only insignificant portions of the container lower than the coupling. A backpack configured for supporting a flexible floor finish container can include a container positioning surface or portion that can support portions of the container proximal to the coupling. Such a positioning surface or portion can be configured to reduce or prevent positioning (e.g., sagging) of portions of the flexible container in a position lower than the coupling or conduit. For example, the positioning surface or portion can include a panel that extends from at or near the portion of the backpack that engages the coupling to the sides of the backpack and that extends across substantial portion or all of the depth of the backpack. Such a panel would encounter the sides of the backpack at a position higher than the coupling. The backpack can also include a portion contoured to receive the coupling, spout, or fluid exit on the container of floor finish. For example, the backpack can define a recess or aperture positioned to receive the coupling, spout, or exit. The recess or aperture can be at a position lower than that of the container in the backpack. As used with reference to position of the container or portions of the container in this paragraph, “lower” and “higher” refer to the position when the backpack is worn on the back of a person standing upright.
In an embodiment, the container has a “lock and key” structure such that only an appropriately shaped floor finish container can be effectively inserted into the recess within the back pack that can accept and support the back pack container The surface of the container that contacts the portable reservoir or back pack wall or support surfaces preferably has a unique profile such that only containers adapted to that profile will fit the interior space of the portable reservoir or back pack. The container can have a unique surface that comes into contact with the support structure in the back pack or can have a unique surface on the side of the container that comes into contact with the interior space of the back pack. Such profiles can include protruding areas, indents, or an overall shape or profile adapted to the interior space of the back pack.
Depending on application, the back pack can be configured to include two or more separate containers that can contain either the identical floor finish composition, combinable two-part floor finish compositions or different floor finish compositions, depending on application.
The portable liquid floor finish system of the invention includes a conduit that can act as an apparatus of fluid communication directing the floor finish from the back pack to the wand used to apply the floor finish. In an embodiment, a coupling is installed in the floor finish container that directs the floor finish from the container to the attached conduit structure. In an embodiment, a single conduit or hose couples to the source of liquid floor finish and to the metering apparatus. In an embodiment, the conduit of the back pack is coupled to a conduit installed on the application wand in conjunction with the metering valve and pad.
In an embodiment, the system includes a container conduit that can couple to a conduit installed on the application wand in conjunction with the metering valve and pad. The container conduit can reversibly couple to the container. The container conduit can reversibly couple to the application wand conduit. The container conduit can include a filter configured to filter floor finish passing through the conduit. The filter can include a housing and a filter element.
The back pack can be adapted for use by both right handed and left handed individuals and for right handed and left handed use regardless of the handedness of the individual. The conduit leaving the back pack can be installed in a right aspect or a left aspect using a conduit restraint structure formed in the portable liquid floor finish system for ease of use and application in all environments by all users. In an embodiment, the container is permanently installed with the conduit and when the container and conduit is installed in the back pack with a fresh amount of high solids floor finish, the conduit is directed from the container. In an embodiment, the conduit is coupled at its distal end to the metering apparatus and, proximal to that, coupled to the wand, and includes at its proximal end apparatus for mating with a fitting on the container of floor finish. The conduit leading from the coupling can be placed in a conduit restraint formed in the back pack case that prevents the two from undesirable or inappropriate motion.
In an embodiment, the container is coupled to the conduit employing a two part coupling. One part of the coupling can reside on the conduit, to which it can be reversibly coupled. Another part of the coupling can be an integral portion of the container, or can be coupled to the container by the user. The two parts of the coupling can be threaded to reversibly couple to one another. The two parts of the coupling can reversibly couple to one another employing any of a variety of known quick connect systems. For example, the two parts of the coupling can snap together and be retained by a retaining ring or slide. Each of the two parts of the two part coupling can include additional parts.
In an embodiment, the container part of the coupling can include a filter. The filter can be oriented to be within the container in a configuration in which fluid leaving the container must pass through the filter. The filter can have any of a variety of configurations. For example, the filter can be shaped like a cylinder with a flattened end, like a sock or bag, cylindrical, tubular, bulbous, spherical, oblate, or the like. The filter can be coupled to the coupling by any of a variety of suitable methods. For example, the filter can be attached to the coupling by ultrasonic welding, friction, adhesive. The filter can be an integral part of the coupling.
In an embodiment, the filter is within, coupled to, and/or integral with the container part of the coupling. For example, the filter can be a molded part of the coupling. In such an embodiment, the container part of the coupling can define a passage for floor finish. The filter can be oriented to span this passage. Such a filter can be, for example, disk shaped or conical in a tubular passage. Such a filter can be an integral part of the coupling. Such a filter can be a distinct filter part positioned in the passage. A filter positioned in the passage can be, for example, shaped like a cap or cylinder. In an embodiment, such a cap shaped filter defines slot shaped apertures in the end of the cap and rounded holes in the side. In an embodiment, the slot shaped apertures have a length of about 0.1 inch to about 0.5 inch and the rounded holes in the side have a maximum dimension of about 0.02 inch to about 0.08 inches.
In an embodiment, the filter is an elongated filter element that is resilient but not floppy. That is, fluid or solids within the container cannot crumple the resilient filter onto the opening that provides fluid communication with the conduit. A resilient filter can bend if installation of a flexible container in the back pack urges the filter into contact with the back pack. In an embodiment, the resilient filter is configured to reduce or avoid excess wear on a flexible container, for example, by having rounded rather than pointed edges. The filter can be made of any of a variety of materials suitable for making filters for floor finish materials. For example, the filter can be plastic, metal, or non-woven material. By way of further example, the filter can be a mesh, a mesh-like material, or a solid sheet with apertures.
The filter can include any size aperture or pore suitable for allowing floor finish fluid to flow through the filter while retaining unwanted solid, gel, or particulate matter. In an embodiment, the filter apertures have a maximum dimension of 0.015 inches to 0.2 inches. In an embodiment, the filter apertures have a maximum dimension of 0.03 inches to 0.1 inches. In an embodiment, the filter apertures have a maximum dimension of 0.04 inches to 0.07 inches. In an embodiment, the filter apertures have a maximum dimension of 0.05 inches.
In an embodiment, the coupling includes a valve. The valve retains fluid in the container when the container is not coupled to the conduit. For example, the container part of the coupling can include a valve that is normally closed. The conduit part of the coupling can include apparatus for actuating the valve so that when the conduit is coupled to the container, the container and the conduit are in fluid communication.
The present system can include a clean out coupler. The clean out coupler can be configured to couple to the conduit portion of the two part coupling and to an external source of fluid. The external source of fluid can be employed, for example, to rinse out the conduit. The clean out coupler can include a proximal portion configured for coupling to the conduit portion of the two part coupling. For example, the clean out coupler can be threaded to reversibly couple to the conduit portion of the two part coupling. Alternatively, the clean out coupler and the conduit portion of the two part coupling can be configured to couple to one another employing any of a variety of additional known quick connect configurations.
The clean out coupler can include a distal portion configured for coupling to an external source of fluid. Suitable external sources of fluid include a faucet or a hose that can provide service water. The clean out coupler can include a male or female threaded portion configured for reversible threading to a hose (e.g., a common garden hose) or faucet spout. In an embodiment, the clean out coupler includes a female threaded portion. The clean out coupler can include a tapered portion that can be configured to be retained against a source of fluid, such as a hose or faucet. The tapered portion can be configured to snugly engage the source of fluid. Such snug engagement can provide significant fluid flow through the conduit. Such sung engagement can reduce or prevent fluid spray out of the coupling. Such spray could contact and inconvenience the user. The tapered portion can resemble a funnel or a portion of a cone with the wide end to the distal end of the clean out coupler. In an embodiment, the clean out coupler can include threaded (e.g., female) portion and tapered portion.
The clean out coupler can be separate from or tethered to the rest of the system. In an embodiment, the clean out coupler can be tethered to, for example, the conduit, the wand, or the handle. The tether can be configured so that the clean out coupler can remain tethered to the system when it is reversibly coupled to the two part coupling or a source of fluid.
In an embodiment, once installed in the back pack, the container conduit is in turn connected to a conduit installed on the application wand that leads directly to the application metering valve structure. The container conduit can be joined with the wand conduit using common joining apparatus including a connector or coupling providing fluid communication from the container to the wand floor finish application apparatus. In an embodiment, a single conduit leads from container to metering structure.
The conduit leading to the metering structure is preferably sized and configured to ensure that the application wand can direct a substantial quantity of liquid floor finish onto the floor. For preferred operations, the back pack is structured and adapted to apply about 10 milliliters to about 120 milliliters of floor finish per square meter of floor, preferably about 30 milliliters to about 100 milliliters of floor finish per square meter of floor. Such an add-on will ensure a thick, resilient and robust coating on the floor surface. Such an add-on amount will obtain, in a single dried application layer, a layer thickness, after evaporation of the liquid carrier fluid, that ranges from about 0.01 to about 0.03 millimeters, preferably about 0.005 to about 0.05 millimeters. The floor finish structure of the invention is adapted to permit the relatively rapid application of floor finish to the resilient vinyl floor surface. Accordingly, during preferred operations, a skilled applicator can apply the desired amount and thickness of the floor finish at a rate of about 3.0 to about 10 square meters per minute of operation.
The application wand of the invention is adapted for easy metering of an appropriate amount of the floor finish to the resilient vinyl floor surface and to distribute the aqueous finish in an appropriate thin continuous layer. In a preferred embodiment, the wand has, on a proximal end a handle and on a distal end attachment apparatus for the application pad. Proximate to the application pad is installed a metering valve or orifice that is connected to triggering apparatus in the handle of the wand. The wand additionally includes a conduit that can provide fluid communication for the liquid floor finish from the back pack container or reservoir to the metering orifice proximate the pad. In a preferred mode, the application personnel will trigger the flow of floor finish until an appropriate amount is applied to the floor proximate the pad by manipulation of the application apparatus installed in the handle structure. The pad then is used to first acquire within the pad interior foam reservoir, an amount of the floor finish. Once substantially saturated with liquid floor finish, the pad is then worked across the floor surface to evenly distribute the floor finish in a thick layer. The pad can be worked in a variety of patterns along the floor surface. The pattern selected can be appropriate for the personnel and for the space involved. For example, relatively narrow hallways can be serviced by a linear back-and-forth application, however, large square areas can also be worked by an arc-like or semicircular-like application pattern. However, the preferred mode involves the application of a sufficient amount of floor finish since that a thick resilient robust coating is formed in a single application on the floor surface.
The proximal end of the floor application wand typically contains a handle and a triggering apparatus to apply the floor finish, virtually any type of apparatus to meter or apply the floor finish can be used in the handle. Common lever or trigger structures that are operably connected to the application nozzle can be used. The structure selected preferably can be easily adapted to the application of the appropriate amount of floor finish to the floor surface. The application wand typically includes a conduit that passes from the back pack along or within the handle leading down to the application nozzle. In an embodiment, the conduit leaves the back pack, is then connected to the conduit in the wand using a coupling conveniently placed for easy attachment to the conduit on the handle. The conduit is then directed to the metering structure. In an embodiment, a single conduit extends from back pack to wand to metering apparatus.
The conduit can be mechanically associated with the wand in a variety of ways. The conduit can be installed within the tubular wand structure, can be attached along the exterior length of the structure using mechanical fasteners, or the conduit can be wound around the wand to maintain a loose association of the conduit and the wand.
The conduit typically ends at a metering structure installed at the distal end of the metering wand. The metering structure is typically installed on the distal end of the application wand such that the liquid floor finish can be applied without substantial splashing. The metering structure is operably connected to the handle application apparatus for the appropriate application of the aqueous floor finish. The metering structure can include any valve-like structures for the measured application of the appropriate amounts of floor finish. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the desired volume of floor finish can be selected by actuating the metering structure, which can include simple on/off valves, mechanically or electrically driven valves or other structure. One aspect of the metering structure involves the diameter of the output orifice that is used to meter the appropriate volume of floor finish. The output metering structure typically has a diameter of about 0.05 to 0.1 millimeters, preferably about 0.03 to 0.2 millimeters for appropriate add-on of floor finish.
In an embodiment, the conduit can be configured to route the floor finish through a filter, e.g., a Y-filter. A Y-filter can be positioned at any point along the conduit. For example, the Y-filter can be positioned on or in the backpack, but outside the container of floor finish. For example, the Y-filter can be positioned on the wand (e.g., near the handle or trigger, on a central portion of the wand, or near the metering structure). In an embodiment, the Y-filter can be positioned on the wand proximal the metering structure. Any of a variety of known Y-filter configurations can be employed. Such a filter can remove particles from the floor finish before floor finish reaches the metering structure.
In an embodiment, the metering structure Can be configured to route the floor finish through a filter, e.g. a basket filter. A basket filter can be positioned so that floor finish leaving the metering structure passes through the basket filter. In an embodiment, the basket filter can be coupled to the wand or to the metering structure and positioned near the output orifice, e.g., between the output orifice and the floor (when the wand is oriented as for applying floor finish). Such a filter can remove particles from the floor finish before floor finish reaches the floor.
The application wand terminates at its distal end with an application pad. The application pad is installed in an articulating position at the end of the application pad to provide rotation about the end of the wand to maintain contact between the application surface of the pad and floor surface. Such an articulating position can be achieved by the use of a flexible linkage that ensures that the pad is in contact with the floor over the entire application surface of the pad. A variety of structures can be used to attach the pad in a flexible articulated manner to the distal end of the application wand.
The application pad of the invention is adapted to be easily installed onto the distal end of the application wand, to act as a reservoir for a significant proportion of the liquid floor finish and to have an appropriate surface area to distribute the liquid floor finish across the floor in appropriate amounts such that the floor finish can be applied at a single application to result in a thick robust continuous floor coating.
One aspect of the pad is its ease of use. The movement of the pad preferably provides as little resistance to the application of the floor finish as possible for the convenience and comfort of the individual using the floor finish application system. Accordingly, the pad preferably can be sized and configured such that the resistance to movement of the pad with the fluid floor finish across the floor is minimized. Such a pad will be easy to use, will apply floor finish in the appropriate amounts but not result in substantial fatigue to application personnel that would interfere with the appropriate add-on amount of floor finish. In our work, we have found that a pad having an application surface that ranges from about 500 to about 2000 square centimeters provides an appropriate application surface that results in a high quality floor finish and minimum fatigue in the application personnel. The profile of the application surface can be generally rectangular, oval, circular or other appropriate structure. In a preferred mode, we have found that the preferred pad is a generally rectangular pad wherein the length of the pad is generally 2 to 6 times the width of the pad. Preferred pads have a dimension of about 10 to about 20 centimeters in width and about 50 to 100 centimeters in length. The pad can be attached to the distribution wand using a variety of techniques. The pad can have pockets or inserts installed in the attachment surface of the pad which can interact with mechanical devices on the wand to ensure a close fitting association with the wand structure. In one embodiment, the wand can have a flexible structure that can be inserted into pockets formed in the pad that can be used to attach the pad to the wand. In an alternative embodiment, the pad can have an attachment surface having a VELCRO® (hook and loop fastener)structure that can simply be pressed against the corresponding surface at the distal end of the application wand for reliable installation. The application pad typically includes the attachment surface, an internal foam reservoir and on the surface opposite the attachment surface, an application surface with a microfiber distribution structure.
The pad is typically manufactured by loosely assembling the attachment surface, the interior foam pad and the microfiber application surface and then mechanically attaching the layers one to the other in a laminate structure. A variety of attachment apparatus can be used including hot melt adhesives, hot line lamination or sewing. In a preferred mode, the layers are assembled by sewing the pad along its length and along its perimeter to ensure close association with the layers.
The application surface has an installed microfiber distribution apparatus. The use of microfibers on the application surface ensures that the foam reservoir, the applied floor finish and the application surface cooperate to apply a large quantity of the floor finish to the surface resulting in the robust floor finish layer. The microfibers are installed in the pad with a preferred alignment. The microfibers are typically placed in or installed in a pad support structure in a direction that is substantially normal to the surface of the pad. In other words, as the pad is moved across the floor, the microfibers are substantially perpendicular to the floor surface. It should be understood that, however, the microfibers are highly flexible and will move in accordance with the net force applied by the application personnel. Accordingly, the microfibers will contact the floor finish and the floor surface during application and will be moved in accordance with the motion of the pad. However, the microfibers are substantially installed in the pad surface in a direction normal to the pad surface (and the floor surface). In a preferred mode, the microfibers are manufactured by installing the microfibers into a woven fabric by simply looping and knotting the microfiber into the fabric surface. The microfibers extend from the pad surface for a distance of about 0.1 to about 5 millimeters, typically about 0.1 to about 2 millimeters. About 50 to about 80% of the area microfibers per square centimeter of the pad surface as microfibers, preferably about 70 to about 80% fibers per square centimeter for easy, low force but high add-on application of the floor finish materials.
The internal foam reservoir formed within the application pad of the invention can typically contain about 30 to about 85 milliliters of floor finish per square meter of pad. The pad is typically a small open celled foam structure, having a thickness, before compression during manufacturing that can range from about 0.2 to about 2 centimeter in thickness.
The microfiber systems are small fibers having a dimension of about 0.2 to about 5 denier, typically about 0.8 to about 1.5 denier. The microfibers are typically made from two relatively incompatible polymer materials, for example, polyester and polyamide. The fibers are coextruded and then split into microfilaments during manufacturing. The most common structure of the microfiber is a core structure with wedge shaped perimeter structures having a small, less than 0.5 denier aspect. The yarn made from the microfiber contains high surface area wedge shaped filaments and a core filament. The capillary effect between the wedge shaped filament and the core filament creates a very high absorbency which, in turn, permits the microfiber structures to absorb large amounts of floor finish and enables the pad to apply large amounts of floor finish to the floor with a quality finish having little or no defects in the finish surface. The preferred microfiber includes about 80% polyethylene terephthalate polyester and about 20% polyamide such as a nylon.
The high solids floor finish compositions of the invention that can be used with the microfiber pad technology typically are formulated using an aqueous material in a dispersion or suspension form. Typically, the aqueous floor finish includes an organic polymeric material augmented using a variety of other polymeric materials or additive compositions. Typically finish compositions are formulations that can include water-formulated coatings including aqueous polish compositions in either buffable, self polishing or non-buffable types, temporary protective coatings, or other well-known formulations types. These aqueous coatings can result in a substantially transparent coating after volatilization of the aqueous media. The formulations can include non-volatile, solid film forming polymeric materials dispersed in the aqueous media using dispersing or emulsifying materials to form a uniform aqueous formulation. Such emulsifier or dispersant materials including anionic or nonionic agents are used in sufficient amounts to form a stable aqueous dispersion of the film forming polymeric materials in the aqueous media. Judicious formulation of such film forming materials at high solids content, permits the application of sufficient amounts of the film forming polymer to permit the formation of a thick robust coating in one application or pass. Such formulations can contain other components of organic or inorganic character in polymeric or non polymeric forms. Such floor finishes can contain a plasticizer, a surfactant (wetting agent) or other additive material that facilitates the formation of a single smooth continuous floor finish layer. The film forming polymer material generally includes a solid polymeric material that can be emulsified or dispersed in an aqueous media in combination with a wax or other polymer film formers, natural and synthetic resins including alkali soluble resins and other additive materials.
Representative examples and suitable natural and synthetic polymer materials include polymers including vinyl acetate, polymers including vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride, polyurethane materials, copolymeric materials including butadiene, acrylonitrile, styrene, vinyl acetate, acrylic monomers, and in particular cross-linked acrylic systems including metal complexed or ionic cross-linked acrylic polymers. Other resins can include terpene materials, terpene-phenolic polymers and others. Representative examples of commercially available polymeric floor finish materials can be obtained from Rhom & Haas or SC Johnson Co.
Floor finish formulations of the invention can be manufactured by combining the film forming polymer with an additive package including a plasticizer material. Both permanent and fugitive plasticizers can be incorporated for many applications. Representative examples of fugitive plasticizers are diethylene glycol (carbitol materials), ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol alkyl ether, benzyl alcohol and ethers thereof, and other such liquid materials. Permanent plasticizer materials include phthalate plasticizers, fatty acid esters of polyols, benzoate esters, tricresyl phosphate, and others. Plasticizers selected for use in formulations of the invention are chosen in accordance with compatibility and efficiency of introducing the floor finishes of the invention at application temperatures.
Additive materials can also be used in the finish compositions in the invention. Such additives commonly include surfactant and wetting agent compositions. Other additives can include preservatives, sanitizers, fragrances, pigments or dyes, leveling agents and other additives.
An aspect of the floor finish formulations of the invention relates to the amounts of materials present in the floor finish. Preferred compositions can be formulated by combining aqueous preparations of the film forming polymer material, additives, another for acrylic ingredients. The total amount of each material in the aqueous solution is adjusted to provide from about 28 to 45 wt %, preferably 30 to 40 wt % total solids based on the floor finish composition taken as a whole.
A preferred useful formulation for use in the floor finish systems of the invention is as follows:
The present invention can include method and apparatus for removing floor finish from the two part coupling, conduit, and/or metering structure, for example, after use. Removing floor finish can include rinsing the floor finish from the system (e.g., the two part coupling, conduit, and/or metering structure). Rinsing the system can include reversibly coupling the conduit to a source of rinse fluid (e.g., water) contacting interior portions of the conduit portion of the two part coupling, the conduit, and/or the metering structure with the fluid. Contacting can include flowing rinse fluid through the system. Removing floor finish can also include uncoupling the conduit from the container of floor finish, coupling a clean out coupler to the conduit portion of the two part coupling, and reversibly coupling or engaging a source of fluid with the clean out coupler.
The invention uses a portable application system such as a back pack container for the floor finish. Such container is fluidly communicated to an applicator wand through a conduit. The applicator wand includes a valve that can help to meter the floor finish onto the floor, through a metering nozzle, a distribution pad and a floor finish conduit. The following Figures detail the mechanical aspects of the floor finish application equipment of the invention. Within the Figures common numbering is used for identical elements in the Figures.
Referring now to
Using the portable floor finish unit shown in the Figures, an aqueous floor finish composition:
was applied to a resilient vinyl floor, in one application, at an add on amount of about 3.8 liters (1 gallon) per each 30 m2 (about 1000 ft2). The applied aqueous material was allowed to dry to a glossy film having a thickness of about 0.01 mm.
Using the portable floor finish unit shown in the Figures, an aqueous floor finish composition:
was applied to a resilient vinyl floor, in one application, at an add on amount of about 3.8 liters (1 gallon) per each 30 m2 (about 1000 ft2). The applied aqueous material was allowed to dry to a glossy film having a thickness of about 0.03 mm.
It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing “a compound” includes a mixture of two or more compounds. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the phrase “adapted and configured” describes a system, apparatus, or other structure that is constructed or configured to perform a particular task or adopt a particular configuration to. The phrase “adapted and configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases such as arranged and configured, constructed and arranged, adapted, constructed, manufactured and arranged, and the like.
Certain structures, materials of construction or claim elements have been described using a set of nomenclature consistent with the description of the invention. While the nomenclature using this application is adequate for the description found herein, the description includes alternative language or synonyms that can also used to describe the structures materials of construction or claim elements. Simply substituting a synonym is not resolve the use of this structure in infringement mode.
While embodiments of this invention as described in this specification drawings are fully capable of applying the sufficient liquid floor finish in one application to form a thick robust floor finish, and achieve all the purposes object and aspect of the invention desired, the invention is not limited solely to the structures described in the invention disclosure and drawings that are provided for illustration purposes. As such, the invention is found in the claims hereinafter appended.
The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,429, filed Mar. 5, 2004, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/177,901 filed Jun. 19, 2002, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/992,195 filed Nov. 14, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,516, and a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/732,028 filed Dec. 9, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/992,195 filed Nov. 14, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,516. The present application claims priority to each of these applications to the fullest extent. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 09992195 | Nov 2001 | US |
| Child | 10732028 | Dec 2003 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10794429 | Mar 2004 | US |
| Child | 11927996 | Oct 2007 | US |
| Parent | 10177901 | Jun 2002 | US |
| Child | 10794429 | Mar 2004 | US |
| Parent | 09992195 | Nov 2001 | US |
| Child | 10177901 | Jun 2002 | US |
| Parent | 10732028 | Dec 2003 | US |
| Child | 10794429 | US |
